MLB European Academy 2012 in Tirrenia – Complete Roster

by Major League Baseball International

The eighth edition of the MLB European Academy starts today in Tirrenia, Italy at the CONI Olympic Training Center.  The 2012 Academy will feature 47 of Europe’s best young baseball players who were selected at a series of MLB Scouting Bureau try-outs held earlier in the spring.  The players come from 13 different European nations, including the first-ever players selected from Moldova.  Additionally, two top young prospects from New Zealand will be joining the camp.

The MLB European Academy will run from August 1 – 17 and consists of an intensive program of practices and games modelled after Major League Spring Training.  The staff will be headed by former Major League manager John McLaren and MLB stars Bruce Hurst, Wally Joyner, Dale Murphy and Craig Shipley.

The MLB European Academy is the centrepiece of Major League Baseball’s player development programs in Europe, which includes support of 25 off-season player academies in 9 nations.  Since it began in 2005, 52 players from the MLB Academy have signed contracts with Major League clubs, including Alex Liddi (Seattle Mariners) who became the first player from the program to reach the Major Leagues.